Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 6:5-15), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [8-9] “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” We can wonder, why pray then? When we wonder this, it suggests that we have a transactional view of prayer, rather than a relational one. We can be more interested in using prayer to get things from God, rather than receiving prayer as the gracious gift that it is. Jesus opens up his life of prayer to us, so that we have the privilege of living all of life in relationship with God as our Father. This Father knows you, cares for you, pays such close attention to you. Do you believe this? Do you enjoy prayer? Do you pray to engage in and give expression to your relationship to the Father? Do you want to live all of life as an opportunity for relating to God in prayer?

• “Our Father…” The Son of God became our brother, in order that his Father would be our Father (John 20:17). What does it mean to you that you share a Father with Jesus? What does it mean to you that you share a Father with your other brothers and sisters in the church? What are the implications of this when you are enjoying good things in life? when you are enduring hardships? when life seems dissatisfying? when you’re wondering about your identity and purpose in life? when it’s difficult to be around other folks in the church?

• [10] “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We may wrestle with God in prayer, when there is conflict between our will and his will. Jesus himself wrestled with God in the Garden of Gethsemane. If God Incarnate had a hard time praying, “Not my will but yours be done,” you can bet that you’ll also struggle with this prayer sometimes. What is something, in God’s providence, that is happening in your life right now, that is difficult for you to accept as his will? How do you deal with it when your will and his will are in conflict? Do you feel that it’s okay to wrestle with God at times like this?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: Do you love your parents? Do they take good care of you and make you feel safe? Do you want to spend time with them and do things with them? Do you ask them for help when you need it? Our heavenly Father knows you better than anyone else knows you, and he cares for you more than anyone else cares. Would you like to spend time with him, do things with him, ask him for help, and live your whole life with him? (You can, in prayer!)